Bowl with liquid drain

ABSTRACT

An assembly for separating liquid and solid components of a food product. The assembly includes a lower bowl, and an upper bowl nested in the lower bowl and defining a cavity within the bottom portion of the lower bowl. The upper bowl includes a plurality of apertures in communication with the cavity whereby the liquid component can be separated from the solid components by straining the liquid component into the cavity. In an alternate embodiment, the assembly further includes an intermediate bowl nested between the lower bowl and the upper bowl.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a food serving bowl assembly for separating liquid and solid components of a food product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certain types of food products contain both a liquid component and solid components. Examples of such food products include milk and cereal, soup (e.g. broth and the solids), and the like. Such food products are typically served in a bowl and eaten with a spoon. Many people enjoy eating such food products. However, there are several problems that can arise when one chooses to eat such food products.

One problem occurs when the person eating the food product begins to become full at a point when there still remains a sizable portion of the food product in the bowl. When faced with such a situation, the person may often desire to “skip to” or finish the remainder of the solid component and leave the remainder of the liquid component. However, it is difficult for a person to do so because a soup spoon will tend to scoop both solid and liquid components together by its design. Furthermore, certain solid components of the food product may be suspended in the liquid component and will therefore be very difficult to scoop out using a soup spoon.

Another type of problem can occur when the person eating the food product has “finished” eating the food product, but has left a significant residual amount of both the liquid component and the solid components in the bowl. This type of situation is typically encountered when the person who is eating the food product is a child. In order to then dispose of the residual content of the bowl, the liquid component is typically poured down the drain of the kitchen sink and the solid component is then discarded in a trash receptacle. However, when pouring the liquid component down the drain of the kitchen sink, certain pieces of the solid components will also be flushed out of the bowl and into the sink. This can clog the sink or the sink drain strainer. The person cleaning up would then have to empty the solid components from the strainer and/or sink. This multi-step chore is laborious and time consuming, especially for a large family with young children that eat these types of food products on a regular basis.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,275 to Khattar discloses a bowl for retaining milk and cereal in a separated condition. The device includes a lower bowl for containing milk, with an upper bowl removably coupled to the lower bowl for containing cereal. A well portion of the upper bowl extends into the lower bowl and includes a plurality of apertures permitting milk to enter the well from the lower bowl. A spoonful of the cereal can be moved into the well for contact with the milk immediately prior to consumption. The Khattar device is complicated to manage and requires the user to repeatedly move the cereal into the well portion each time a spoonful is taken. Further, the Khattar device does not allow the milk and cereal to be completely mixed together within the upper bowl and, because of this, the Khattar device is not particularly suitable for serving soup.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,980 to Dickerson discloses a comestibles consumption device for the simultaneous dispensing of a liquid, such as milk, and a dry comestible, such as cereal, by the force of gravity when tilted for use, directly into the mouth of a consumer without the use of other tools or utensils. The Dickerson device never brings the solid and liquid portions of the food product together in the upper bowl. The user must tilt the entire device at a steep enough angle to cause gravity to bring the solid and liquid portions out of the device. The Dickerson device is complicated to operate and, because of this, is especially not suited for use by children. The Dickerson device is also not suitable for serving soup.

By reason of the inconveniences above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an assembly that allows the user to separate liquid and solid components of a food product in a fast and easy manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above object and other advantages are achieved by the present invention which includes a food serving bowl assembly for separating liquid and solid components of a food product. The assembly includes a lower bowl, and an upper bowl nested in the lower bowl and defining a cavity within the bottom portion of the lower bowl. The upper bowl includes a plurality of apertures in communication with the cavity whereby the liquid component can be separated from the solid components by straining the liquid component into the cavity. In an alternative embodiment, the assembly further includes an intermediate bowl nested between the lower bowl and the upper bowl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the food serving assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the food serving assembly of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the food serving assembly of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the food serving assembly.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the food serving assembly of FIG. 4 taken along line 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the food serving assembly of FIG. 4 taken along line 6-6.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of the food serving assembly.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the food serving assembly of FIG. 7 taken along line 8-8.

To facilitate understanding of the invention, identical reference numerals have been used, when appropriate, to designate the same or similar elements that are common to the figures. Further, unless stated otherwise, the figures are not drawn to scale, but shown for illustrative purposes only.

The novel features of the present invention, which are considered as characteristic for the invention, are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as to both its construction and its mode of operation, together with additional advantages and objects, will be best understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in conjunction with reference to the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate the assembly of the present invention according to a first preferred embodiment. The food serving assembly 10 includes a lower bowl 60, an intermediate bowl 40 nested in the lower bowl 60, and an upper bowl 20 nested in the intermediate bowl 40. The lower bowl 60 has a bottom 63 and a wall 62 terminating at a rim 61. The intermediate bowl 40 has a bottom 43 and a wall 42 terminating at a rim 41. The upper bowl 20 has a bottom 23 and a wall 22 terminating at a rim 21. The preferred material for construction of the assembly 10 is plastic, but one or more of the components of the assembly can be made of metal or glass.

Each of the upper bowl 20 and intermediate bowl 40 can be any shape and can be deep-dished or shallow-dished, and can have walls which are angled or substantially upright. The shape and size of the upper bowl 20 is preferably similar to the shape and size of the intermediate bowl 40 so that the upper bowl 20 nests in close-fitting relation to the intermediate bowl 40. The upper bowl 20 can include a pair of opposing handles 26 for transport. The handles 26 support also the upper bowl 20 and prevent it from dropping inside the intermediate bowl 40.

The lower bowl 60 can be any shape (e.g., hourglass, footed bowl, etc.) and any size. However, the rim 61 of the lower bowl 60 should be close-fitting to the rim 41 of the intermediate bowl 40. When the bowls 20, 40, 60 are nested, a cavity 65 is defined the bottom portion of the lower bowl 60. Compared with the walls 22, 42 of the upper bowl 20 and the intermediate bowl 40, the wall 62 of the lower bowl 60 is elongated, in order to define the cavity 65.

The upper bowl 20 includes a plurality of apertures. A first group of apertures 25 can be disposed adjacent the rim 21 of the upper bowl 20. A second group of apertures 24 can be disposed in the bottom 23 of the upper bowl 20. The apertures can be any shape and size that prevent passage of the solid portions of the food product. Further, the number of apertures 24, 25 and size of the surface area they encompass can vary accordingly, e.g., a single elongated slot or a number of small holes forming an ornamental aesthetic pattern. The intermediate bowl 40 can include an opening 44 that is capable of being aligned with at least a portion of the plurality of apertures 25 of the upper bowl 20. Because of the close-fitting relation of the upper bowl 20 and the intermediate bowl 40, the liquid portion of the food product is retained substantially within the upper bowl 20, even though the upper bowl 20 has a plurality of apertures in the bottom of it.

The rims 21, 41, 61 can include mating engagement members for securing the nested bowls 20, 40, 60 together during and for secure storage use. The engagement members can include rotational engagement or a snap-fitting relation. The engagement members can further include at least one O-ring sealing member (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the engagement members secure the nested bowls 20, 40, 60 in fluid-tight relation.

The lower bowl 60 can include a plurality of supports 66 which project from the inner surface of the lower bowl 60. The supports 66 are sized and shaped in order to support the intermediate bowl 40 in a vertical direction against the force of gravity.

When the bowls 20, 40, 60 are nested together, the upper bowl 20 is adapted to receive a food product containing a liquid and solids. A person can eat the food product out of the upper bowl 20 with a spoon (not shown) in a traditional manner. Alternatively, a third person may serve the food product to another person (e.g., a child, a disabled person, and the like). However, if the person does not wish to finish the food product or if only to eat the solid portion, the present assembly 10 of the first preferred embodiment provides several options.

The first option is for the user to lift the upper bowl 20 up and out of the intermediate bowl 40. In doing so, gravity will cause the liquid portion of the food product to drain through the apertures 24 in the bottom 23 of the upper bowl 20. Because the components of the solid portions of the food product are larger in size than the apertures 24, the liquid component is separated from the solid components by straining the liquid component into the intermediate bowl 40 when the upper bowl 20 is lifted out. The user can then empty the liquid component from the intermediate bowl 40 by pouring the liquid component out. Next, the user can (i) discard the solid components which remain in the upper bowl; or (ii) replace the upper bowl 20 in the intermediate bowl 40 and continue to eat the solid components which remain in the upper bowl 20.

The second option is for the user to tilt the entire assembly 10 while the bowls are still nested together, so that the liquid component is separated from the solid components by straining the liquid component into the lower bowl 60. More specifically, when the entire assembly 10 is tilted, the liquid component travels through the apertures 25, over the opening 44 in the intermediate bowl 40, and down through the liquid channel 67 formed between the lower bowl 60 and the intermediate bowl 40 (see FIG. 3). Next, the user can (i) discard the solid components which remain in the upper bowl; or (ii) continue to eat the solid components which remain in the upper bowl 20. The liquid component can then be discarded from the lower bowl 60.

The bottom 63 portion of the lower bowl 60 can be removable in order to allow for easier cleaning of the cavity 65 after use of the assembly 10. The bottom 63 can be attached by a threaded connection 64, snap-fit connection, or other known means. The removable bottom portion 63 has a fluid-tight connection.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate the assembly of the present invention according to a second preferred embodiment which does not include intermediate bowl. The assembly of the second preferred embodiment includes an upper bowl 20 nested in a lower bowl 60. The lower bowl 60 has a bottom 63 and a wall 62 terminating at a rim 61. The upper bowl 20 has a bottom 23 and a wall 22 terminating at a rim 21. The preferred material for construction of the assembly 10 is plastic.

The upper bowl 20 can be any shape and can be deep-dished or shallow-dished, and can have walls which are angled or substantially upright. The shape and size of the upper bowl 20 is preferably similar to the shape and size of the upper portion of the lower bowl 60 such that the upper bowl 20 is nested in close-fitting relation to the lower bowl 60. The upper bowl 20 can further include a pair of opposing handles 26 for transport. The handles 26 also support the upper bowl 20 and prevent it from dropping inside the lower bowl 60.

The lower bowl 60 can be any shape (e.g., hourglass, footed bowl, etc.) and any size. However, the rim 61 of the lower bowl 60 should be close-fitting to the rim 21 of the upper bowl 20. When the bowls 20, 60 are nested, a cavity 65 is defined in the bottom portion of the lower bowl 60. Compared with the wall 22 of the upper bowl 20, the wall 62 of the lower bowl 60 is elongated, in order to define the cavity 65.

The upper bowl 20 includes a plurality of apertures. A first group of apertures 25 can be disposed adjacent the rim 21 of the upper bowl 20. The apertures can be any shape and size that prevent passage of the solid portions of the food product. Further, the number of apertures 25 and size of the surface area they encompass can vary accordingly, e.g., a single elongated slot or a number of small holes forming an ornamental aesthetic pattern. Because apertures 25 are disposed adjacent the rim 21 of the upper bowl 20, the liquid portion of the food product is retained substantially within the upper bowl 20, even though the upper bowl 20 has a plurality of apertures in it.

The rims 21, 61 can include mating engagement members for securing the nested bowls 20, 60 together during use and for secure storage. The engagement members can include rotational engagement or a snap-fitting relation. The engagement members can further include at least one O-ring sealing member (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the engagement members secure the nested bowls 20, 60 in fluid-tight relation.

The lower bowl 60 can include a plurality of supports 66 which project from the inner surface of the lower bowl 60. The supports 66 are of a size and shape that will secure the upper bowl 20.

When the bowls 20 and 60 are nested, the upper bowl 20 is adapted to receive a food product containing both a liquid component and a solid component which can be eaten with a spoon (not shown) in the traditional manner. Alternatively, a third person may serve the food product to another person (e.g., a child, a disabled person, or the like). However, if the person becomes full before finishing the food product or if the person wishes to only finish the remainder of the solid portion of the food product, the present assembly 10 of the second preferred embodiment provides several options.

One option is for the user to tilt the entire assembly 10 so that the liquid component is separated from the solid components by straining the liquid component into the lower bowl 60. More specifically, when the entire assembly 10 is tilted, the liquid component travels through the apertures 25 and down through the liquid channel 67 formed between the lower bowl 60 and the upper bowl 20 (see FIG. 6). Next, the user can (i) discard the solid components which remain in the upper bowl by dumping in a trash receptacle; or (ii) continue to eat the solid components which remain in the upper bowl 20. The liquid component can then be discarded from the lower bowl 60 by pouring the liquid component out.

The bottom 63 of the lower bowl 60 can be removable in order to allow for easier cleaning of the cavity 65 after use of the assembly 10. The bottom 63 can be attached via a threaded connection 64, snap-fit connection, and the like (not shown). The removable bottom portion 63 has a fluid-tight connection.

FIGS. 7-8 illustrate the assembly of the present invention according to a third preferred embodiment. The assembly includes a lower bowl 60 that provides a supporting base. An intermediate bowl 40 is nested in the lower bowl 60. The intermediate bowl 40 does not include any apertures. An upper bowl 20 is nested in the intermediate bowl 40. The upper bowl 20 includes a plurality of apertures 24. The lower bowl 60 can include a plurality of supports 66 which project from the inner surface of the lower bowl 60. The supports 66 are sized and shaped in order to support the intermediate bowl 40 in a vertical direction against the force of gravity.

In accordance with this embodiment, the user can lift the upper bowl 20 upwards using a pair of handle grips 26 so that the liquid component is separated from the solid components by straining the liquid component into the intermediate bowl 40. Next, the user can (i) discard the solid components which remain in the upper bowl by dumping in a trash receptacle; or (ii) continue to eat the solid components which remain in the upper bowl 20. The liquid component can then be discarded from the intermediate bowl 40 by pouring the liquid component out.

In addition to the various advantages discussed above, a further advantage of the nested bowl arrangement of the present invention is the insulating capability of the assembly. That is, if hot food, such as soup, is poured into the upper bowl, the intermediate and/or lower bowls will insulate against heat transfer. Thus, a user may handle the lower bowl without the risk of burning his hands. In addition, the food item will retain its heat for a longer period of time.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive and will suggest modifications, variations, and alternatives that may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention and those familiar with the art may recognize equivalents to the specific embodiments described. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims that follow. 

1. A soup or cereal bowl assembly for separating liquid and solid components of a food product comprising: a. a lower bowl; and b. an upper bowl nested in the lower bowl and defining a cavity within the bottom portion of the lower bowl, the upper bowl including a plurality of apertures in communication with the cavity whereby the liquid component can be separated from the solid components by straining the liquid component into the cavity.
 2. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 1 further comprising an intermediate bowl nested between the lower bowl and the upper bowl, in which the wall of the intermediate bowl has an opening that aligns with at least a portion of the plurality of apertures in the upper bowl.
 3. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 2 in which the opening is disposed adjacent the rim of the intermediate bowl.
 4. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 2 in which the upper bowl is nested in close-fitting relation to the intermediate bowl.
 5. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 1 in which the plurality of apertures are disposed adjacent the rim of the upper bowl.
 6. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 4 in which the plurality of apertures are disposed in the bottom of the upper bowl.
 7. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 4 in which the plurality of apertures are disposed proximate the rim of the upper bowl and also in the bottom of the upper bowl.
 8. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 1 further comprising at least one support member in supporting relation to the upper bowl.
 9. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 1 in which the rim of the lower bowl and the rim of the upper bowl include mating engagement members for securing the nested bowls together for use.
 10. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 9 in which the bowls are joined by rotational engagement.
 11. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 9 in which the mating engagement members secure the nested bowls in fluid-tight relation.
 12. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 9 in which the mating engagement members include at least one 0-ring sealing member.
 13. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 1 in which the exterior of the lower bowl has an hourglass or footed bowl configuration.
 14. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 1 in which the lower bowl has a fluid-tight removable bottom portion.
 15. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 1 in which is fabricated from molded plastic.
 16. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 1 in which the bowls are joined in a snap-fitting relation.
 17. A food serving assembly for separating liquid and solid components of a food product comprising: a. a lower bowl; and b. an upper bowl nested in the lower bowl and defining a cavity within the bottom portion of the lower bowl, the upper bowl including a plurality of apertures in communication with the cavity whereby the liquid component can be separated from the solid components by straining the liquid component into the cavity.
 18. The food serving assembly of claim 17 in which the plurality of apertures defining a straining portion adjacent the rim of the upper bowl for transferring the liquid component into the lower bowl.
 19. A soup or cereal bowl assembly for separating liquid and solid components of a food product comprising: a. a lower bowl providing a supporting base; b. an intermediate bowl nested in the lower bowl; and c. an upper bowl nested in the intermediate bowl, the upper bowl including a plurality of apertures whereby the liquid component can be separated from the solid components by straining the liquid component into the intermediate bowl.
 20. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 19 in which the upper bowl is nested in close-fitting relation to the intermediate bowl.
 21. The soup or cereal bowl assembly of claim 19 further comprising a pair of handle grips attached to the upper bowl. 